Roosevelt

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Can someone provide some insight as to what the spot is like. Launch, swell etc. Thanks very much!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

If it is really windy, the swell can be epic on the far side in front of the Arlington grain elevator (just look out for the windsurfers). The WA side is much flatter.

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

most sketch launch site on the gorge.

a buddy of mine and myself went there once last year, because it was the only place where there was wind. Got to admit, not a fan.

you lay out your lines inbetween the kids play swings
walk over the grass with the thorns in it to the sharp rocks near the beach
get someone to throw your kite into the air then hold on as the kite clears the wind shadow
(you have to usually launch downwind of the jetty do to the WSers which is why it sucks)
next you have to walk out into the water out a ways because there is a huge wind shadow do to the jetty that is upwind of you and hope your kite stays in the air, 10% chance of success, 90% chance of your kite falling out of the sky
once you clear the jetty it is fine

on the return, head as close to the DW side of the jetty and haul ass as fast as you can towards to beach, you'll end up like 200' down wind of the launch site where you will have to self rescue than walk back to the beach. It's shallow but there are some big rocks that you will kick

save yourself a headache, go to rufus instead. just my 2 cents.

wylieflyote · Wed Sep 22, 10 4:40 am

My $.02 cents.

Funnest kite beach in the Gorge. Yeah the launch is sketchy, but I don't find it as difficult as this previous poster does. Free camping, hot showers, clean strong winds when the rest of the Gorge is complaining about "gusts".

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

The kite launch can be sketchy, and the parking can get crowded with kiters and windsurfers in the summer. But the river is really wide, and there is plenty of room once you get on the water.

harriet · Since 10 Jun 2007 64 Posts

Best site in the gorge imo also.
The previous poster sez it's the sketchiest, ( um, Stevenson?) but sends you to launch off a rock pile for a safer launch? I just don't know if I can agree with Rufus being a safe launch on any level. Even down on the sand is a wind shadow, no space, no room for error, etc. (nice swell though)
Consistantly the cleanest wind at Rosie when it blows, no doubt, and yes, nice swell there too. But Rufus can blow all day for instance, and Rosie might take a midday nap, or just go to sleep on ya.
Kites falling from the sky on 90% of launches? Hmmm... Only dropped mine once. Although I do keep a bit of pressure on the rear lines because the jetty definately does create some turbulance, and have seen others drop theirs occasionally. (not 90% of the time though. Not even kinda) You don't rig in between swings, although there are some. I suppose you could choose to rig in between them, but theres a ton of space all around you if you prefer to rig on a lawn. I prefer the lawn over the swings.
You can launch upwind of the jetty, (it's not an issue with windsurfers), but theres thick weeds and not as easy as it used to be. And as far as the sharp rocks you have to walk on... Whaaaat? And Rufus is reccomended as better? The whole place is a rock pile! lol
Then theres the lawn with trees, water, bathrooms, showers.
But there are some thorny weeds that can stick to your little toe.
Now that I think of it, it's is terrible. Don't go there.
cda

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2623 Posts The 503 METAL

You can use the search to find a bunch of other posts about Roosevelt. Sounds pretty awesome if you catch it on a nice stretch of weather.

3 mile canyon is also a nice option. Thumb's Up

stinkyskate · Since 18 Feb 2009 22 Posts Tri-cities WA

This effeminate fellow managed it with obviously marginal skills:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-QAzdokuTU[/url]

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

It takes more work to get in and get out at Roosevelt, more work to launch, than most other places in the Gorge, and more work to get in. Stevenson may be more sketchy, but it works much easier. We were there in Aug, and the wind shadow was big, at least halfway up the kite lines.

Bring your booties , those sticker seeds get into your feet.

The wind and the swell is really nice though and the camping looks better than at Rufus.

stinkyskate · Since 18 Feb 2009 22 Posts Tri-cities WA

Roosevlt can be a pain to get in and out of, particularly with N component to the wind. Or when some asshole moors their fucking boat in the middle of the beach. Generally it's not too bad.
If your kite skills aren't that great and you can get someone to launch you from the water, the "kiddy pool" west of the jetty (upwind) is a no-brainer. Windsurfers don't like us there but it's not a big deal.
Dan, the site host, has suggested to the corps that the beach be extended to the east. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen though. No, I hold my breath cuz it makes me pretty. like a smurf.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Roosevelt sucks! You should never go there. Seriously.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Beware of the skunks!... literally AND figuratively.
Still my top Gorge spot to kite and camp with the whole family.